Study: Employees in green buildings more productive

October 7, 2009

BLOOMINGTON, IN — A University of San Diego study released in September found that employees working in green buildings are more productive than their counterparts in non-green facilities, according to a press release.

According to the release, this is a study that Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group LLC and Sustainable Tool LLC, says is not receiving enough attention.

The study involved more than 2,000 workers from 154 different green buildings, all of whom formally worked in conventional, non-green facilities, the release stated.

The study found that: 45 percent of respondents reported an average of 2.9 fewer sick days in their new green location; nearly 43 percent of the employees agreed they were more productive in green buildings; 12 percent said they strongly agreed they were more productive in green buildings; and 45 percent noted little change, the release noted.

Interestingly, 10 percent of participants actually reported an increase in the number of sick days after moving to a green facility, the release added.

Ashkin said: “Many of these folks reporting no changes or even an increase in sick days were in Energy Star-labeled buildings that do not have indoor air quality (IAQ) requirements. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings do have IAQ standards and that makes a big difference. They remind us of the many benefits of green buildings, which are not only fewer sick days and greater worker productivity, but enhanced employee retention, recruitment and worker morale.”